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New year: Sanwo-Olu preaches hope

Published

5 months ago

January 1, 2024

The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has urged Nigerians, particularly Lagos residents to be hopeful and continue to live in peace and harmony throughout the coming years.

He charged Lagos residents to remain hopeful of greater prosperity that would be recorded in the country and Lagos in particular as the current administration at the federal and state levels continue to tackle myriad challenges facing the state and the nation.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, in his New Year message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Gboyega Akosile, said his administration was committed to making life better and more prosperous for all Lagosians in the New Year.

The Governor assured Lagos residents that bigger and greater accomplishments will happen across different sectors in line with the THEMES+ agenda of his administration in Year 2024.

He said, “I wish every Lagosian a Happy and Prosperous New Year. We are thankful to God for the grace to see the New Year and we welcome 2024 with hope and faith. 2023 was a year of great strides for us in Lagos. It was indeed a significant year for our administration. We are happy and grateful to Lagos residents for coming out in large numbers to re-elect us for another four years. We will not disappoint you.

“I want to assure millions of Lagos residents that 2024 is the year we will act with speed to deliver more good governance and dividends of democracy that you voted us in for. As your Governor, I promise to continue to provide leadership that will usher in greater opportunities and more prosperous life for Lagosians.

“We will work for Lagos better and faster this year and the remaining years of our second term in office to accelerate developments across the identified areas in our THEMES+ agenda.

“My New Year message to all Lagosians is not to despair and remain hopeful of greater prosperity for Lagos. I want to assure you that better times are ahead of us. We are committed to ensuring that we can give hope to the hopeless. This was our solemn promise and we’re committed to achieving it. We wish all Lagosians the very best this New Year.”

News

Senate seeks states, FCT’s involvement in selection of airlines for Hajj pilgrims

Published

21 mins ago

May 15, 2024

NewsDirect

The amendment bill also seeks for the involvement of States Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards in feeding of pilgrims in Madina and Masha’ir under regulation of NAHCON.

The Senate has sought the involvement of states and the Federal Capital Territory in selecting airlines and feeding Hajj pilgrims.

This is sequel to the passage of an amendment bill on the establishment Act of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to pave the way for the involvement of States and the FCT in the selection of Airlines for Hajj operations. It scaled through the second reading.

The amendment bill also seeks the involvement of States’ Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards in feeding pilgrims in Madina and Masha’ir under the regulation of NAHCON.

Resolutions of the Senate followed the consideration of the Bill for an Act to Amend the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, 2006 to involve States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory in the selection of Airline Agencies for Hajj Operations to promote efficiency, accountability and for related matters, 2024 (SB. 344)

Senator Abbas Aminu Iya representing Adamawa Central who sponsored the bill, informed the Senate that NAHCON was established in 2006 to serve as a regulatory agency on Muslim pilgrims, overseeing activities of states, Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, FCT and Tour agents.

He, however, queried the practice which allows states Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards to handle accommodation and feeding of their pilgrims in Mecca while NAHCON handles accommodation and feeding of all pilgrims in Madina and Masha’ir (Mina and Arafat), which he said creates many inconveniences to pilgrims and affects NAHCON ‘s ability for effective regulatory function.

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Sanwo-Olu mourns death of Deputy Chief of Staff, Gboyega Soyannwo

Published

29 mins ago

May 15, 2024

NewsDirect

By Sodiq Adelakun

The Lagos State Government has announced the passing of its Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Gboyega Soyannwo.

According to a statement signed by the Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, Soyannwo died on Wednesday after a brief illness at the age of 55.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu expressed his condolences to the Soyannwo family, describing the late Deputy Chief of Staff as a “brother and a servant of the people.

According to the statement, “In deep sorrow, the Lagos State Government announces the passing of the Deputy Chief of Staff (DCoS) to Mr. Governor, Mr. Gboyega Soyannwo.

“Soyannwo died today after a brief illness. He was 55.

“Mr. Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on behalf of the Government and people of Lagos, sends his condolences to the Soyannwo family.

“I have lost a brother and a servant of the people,” Mr. Governor said while breaking the news to the Executive Council (EXCO) meeting,

“After a minute’s silence in respect of the late DCoS, Mr. Governor ended the EXCO meeting.”

The late Gboyega Soyannwo is survived by a wife and two children.

News

Mosque explosion: 24 persons injured in Kano

Published

42 mins ago

May 15, 2024

NewsDirect

About 24 persons were early in the morning on Wednesday critically injured following a mosque explosion at Gadan Village, Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State

SP Abdullahi Haruna, the Public Relations Officer of the Kano Police Command, confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday.

According to him, “Today, 15/05/2024 at about 0520hrs, reports were received that, there was an explosion at a Mosque in Gadan Village, Gezawa LGA, Kano State, during “Subhi Prayer,” and that some people got injured.”

He further explained that on receipt of the report, the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, immediately deployed the command’s combined teams consisting of experts in Explosive Ordnance Disposal Chemical Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) led by CSP Haruna Isma’il and other Crime-Scene Policemen led by Divisional Police Officer, Gezawa Division, CSP Haruna Iliya.

The scene, according to the PPRO, was cordoned-off and twenty-four victims, including 20 male adults and four male children, were evacuated and rushed to Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital Kano where they are currently receiving treatment.

He further explained that a forensic analysis at the preliminary stage revealed a suspected petrol explosion, of which a full investigation is ongoing, adding that the principal suspect had been identified and arrested adding that the suspect is now with the police.

The PPRO stated that the suspect is Shafi’u Abubakar, aged 38 years, who said his action was purely in hostility following prolonged family disagreement over sharing of inheritance, of which those that he alleged to have cheated him were in the mosque at that moment and he did that for his voice to be heard.

While the suspect is currently in police custody, he explained that a detailed investigation is ongoing and will be made public in due course.